Providing optimal nutrition for the very low birth weight (VLBW) infant is critical during the neonatal period. Evidence-based practice guidelines are essential in managing these fragile infants. Putting scientific research into daily clinical practice may be arduous at times,
however. A multidisciplinary team of health care providers successfully established a practical feeding guideline for a 52-bed, teaching-affiliated, Level III neonatal intensive care unit in St. Louis. This guideline identifies human milk as the recommended source of nutrition for the VLBW
infant, a suggestion that has significantly affected lactation services in the unit. This article describes the process of developing, implementing, and evaluating a feeding guideline based on current research and describes the impact on lactation rates of having such a guideline in place
within the unit.

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Document Type: Research Article

Publication date: 2005-07-01

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Neonatal Network®, established in April 1981, is a peer-reviewed journal dedicated to assisting neonatal nurses and related health care professionals remain current in their fields. Neonatal Network® acts as a vehicle for the exchange of information by providing up-to-date, relevant articles in the areas of evidence-based clinical practice, research, and education.

Neonatal Network® is issued six times a year; January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, and November/December. With a circulation of 10,000, Neonatal Network® goes to more than 1,000 recognized Level II and Level III neonatal intensive care units in the United States.